{"product_id":"a-fools-errand-creating-the-national-museum-of-african-american","title":"A Fool's Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review, the book A Fool's Errand by Lonnie G. Bunch is presented as a thoughtful, insider account of how the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture came into being. The book will most appeal to readers who want a clear, readable narrative about museum creation, leadership under pressure, and the careful assembling of a national collection; its single biggest reason to buy is the candid, firsthand perspective from the museum's founding director that explains both logistics and the personal cost of the project. The prose is praised for \u003cstrong\u003ereadability\u003c\/strong\u003e and the narrative carries real relevance for historians and museum professionals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounder's perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author writes from the vantage point of the founding director, offering direct insight into decisions about site, architect, and design that shaped the museum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollection-building narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book explains how an unparalleled collection of African American artifacts was assembled, illuminating curatorial choices and acquisition challenges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeadership under pressure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bunch recounts the personal and professional stresses of delivering a national institution without established mentors or roadmaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e The story traces the museum's place in recent American history, covering the Bush, Obama, and Trump years to show evolving public and political dynamics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible storytelling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reviewers emphasize the book's readability and information quality, making complex institutional history approachable for general readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is well suited to readers of museum studies, public history, and modern American history who want a behind-the-scenes account from a museum founder. Professionals involved in cultural institutions will find the discussion of site selection, architect choice, and curation especially useful to understand practical tradeoffs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCasual readers interested in biography or a broad cultural overview will enjoy the storytelling, but those expecting a dense academic treatise or a comprehensive political analysis may want complementary titles that focus exclusively on historiography or policy. Readers seeking a picture-heavy coffee table book should look elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe firsthand account provides strong \u003cstrong\u003estorytelling\u003c\/strong\u003e and clarity on institutional choices and museum design.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInformation quality is high, with useful detail on collection assembly and curatorial priorities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe narrative is readable and relevant, making complex processes accessible to non-specialists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe book emphasizes the founder's viewpoint, so readers seeking fully detached analysis may find limited critical distance.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA Fool's Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLonnie G. Bunch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFounding of the Smithsonian NMAAHC and museum creation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSite choice, architect selection, building design, collection assembly, leadership\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTimeframe covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEra spanning the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerspective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirsthand account by the museum's founding director\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Fool's Errand is a compelling, well written account that belongs on the shelf of anyone studying museums, public history, or contemporary American cultural institutions; its candid founder's perspective and clear discussion of collection and design decisions make it good value for professionals and engaged general readers who want an insider view of creating a major national museum.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book explain how the museum's collection was built?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the author details the challenges and decisions involved in assembling an unparalleled collection of African American artifacts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a technical museum studies manual?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, it is a readable firsthand narrative focused on leadership choices and institutional history rather than a step-by-step technical manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho wrote the book and why is that important?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLonnie G. Bunch, the founding director of the museum, wrote it, and his position provides direct insight into the museum's creation and the personal toll of the effort.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lonnie G. Bunch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48155772354779,"sku":"1665117524","price":32.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/818wxwR7qDL._SL1500.jpg?v=1768736956","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/a-fools-errand-creating-the-national-museum-of-african-american","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}